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In This Issue:
Abrar Qureshi, MD, of Dermatology, pours milk to break the fast with his sons, Afnaan, 9, (left) and Daanish, 8. Pictured on the cover: Imam Talal Eid.
Members of the Muslim community at BWH and in the Longwood Medical Area gathered with their families and colleagues for Iftar, a meal to break the fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It was also a time to celebrate faith and culture with friends and families.
“I feel welcome, like I’m part of the organization,” said Syed O. Ali, MD, a fellow in the Department of Surgery, who came up from the Operating Room in between cases to take part in the celebration Aug. 11. “To be part of this is very meaningful. It’s the first place I’ve worked at that has hosted an Iftar dinner.”
To begin the celebration, those who attended had three sips of water and two dates—the traditional end to a day of fasting during Ramadan. Then Imam Talal Eid and his colleagues from BWH Chaplaincy spread out sheets on one side of the Pod B Cafeteria. There, Muslims stood shoulder to shoulder, facing northeast toward Mecca, for prayers and readings from the Qu’ran. “Everyone in the world faces the same direction,” said Eid, who joined BWH Chaplaincy Services six months ago.
After prayers, members of the Muslim community and those who joined were treated to a delicious feast, ending 16 long hours of fasting for most.
The event was co-sponsored by Chaplaincy, Human Resources’ Organizational Development & Learning Department and the Center for Faculty Development & Diversity.
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